Abstract: A patch mechanism is described, which can be used to detect and workaround defects and conditions existing in an integrated circuit chip. The patch mechanism includes a trigger-matching logic incorporated within an integrated circuit chip to capture an incoming request cycle and determine if the captured incoming cycle matches one or more of trigger conditions. The patch mechanism further includes a control logic coupled to the trigger-matching logic to select a set of instructions upon detection of at least one matched trigger condition and to execute operations corresponding to the selected set of instructions. The control logic is configured to select the set of instructions based on the at least one matched trigger condition.

Abstract: A system is described for providing a patch mechanism within an input/output (I/O) controller, which can be used to workaround defects and conditions existing in the I/O controller. The system includes a patch module coupled to a completion queue included in the I/O controller. The patch module is used to sample incoming cycles received by the I/O controller and to determine if the captured incoming cycle matches one or more of preprogrammed trigger conditions. The patch module is capable of working around a captured non-posted request cycle by controlling header information loaded into the completion queue and by instructing the completion queue whether or not to discard a completion received from a designated end-device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting a row of memory devices. A row value that indicates one of a plurality of chip select signals is stored in a storage element that is associated with a first address. A memory access request is received that includes the first address. The one of the plurality of chip select signals indicated by the row value is asserted to select one of a plurality of rows of memory devices.